[COUPERS-TECH] Fwd: News Briefs: (1) Tools to Help Small Drinking-Water Utilities Control Ar...

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In a message dated 12/14/2005 4:01:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: (2) After Extensive Analysis, EPA Removes Methyl Ethyl Ketone from List of Toxic Air Pollutants   Contact: John Millett, 202-564-4355 / [EMAIL PROTECTED]   After an extensive, multi-year scientific and technical review, EPA has removed methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) from the Clean Air Act list of toxic air pollutants.  Declassifying MEK will not compromise public health and may even pose a public health benefit as companies substitute MEK for more toxic or environmentally damaging chemicals.  Although removed from the list of toxic air pollutants, MEK remains regulated as a volatile organic compound.   Delisting a toxic air pollutant is a rigorous process that involves in-depth analyses and independent scientific peer review to demonstrate there are adequate data to determine that emissions may not reasonably be anticipated to cause adverse health effects.  Public comment is also an important component in the decision whether to delist a toxic air pollutant.  EPA has removed three other toxic air pollutants from the list:  ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (2004), long chain glycol ethers (2000), and caprolactam (1996).  EPA denied a petition to delist methanol in 2001.   MEK is used as a solvent in the surface coatings industry, specifically in manufacturing vinyl lacquers, some lacquers and acrylics. Industries also use MEK for producing adhesives, magnetic tapes, printing inks, degreasing and cleaning fluids, as a dewaxing agent for lubricating oils and as an intermediate in the production of antioxidants and perfumes.   For more information on this action, visit:  http://epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3/fact_sheets/mek_fs.html

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News Briefs

 

If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the listed Press Officer.

 

For Release:  (Washington, D.C. -- Wednesday, December 14, 2005)

 

(1) Tools to Help Small Drinking-Water Utilities Control Arsenic

(2) After Extensive Analysis, EPA Removes Methyl Ethyl Ketone from List of Toxic Air Pollutants

(3) EPA Eases Permitting Requirements for Small Businesses

 

 

(1) Tools to Help Small Drinking-Water Utilities Control Arsenic

 

Contact:  Dale Kemery, 202-564-4355 / [EMAIL PROTECTED]

 

EPA has released a set of user-friendly multimedia products to help small drinking-water utilities meet revised regulations to control arsenic.  The tools will provide owners and operators with information to guide them in making treatment decisions. 

 

"This arsenic treatment tool kit provides useful information to increase local options and sustainable solutions," said Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles.

 

The anchor product of this suite of tools is the Arsenic Virtual Trade Show, a learning portal for arsenic-treatment technology.  The website features a database of vendors, a treatment "decision tree," and tips for evaluating and selecting treatment providers.  Other products being released include:

 

·         A brochure, Evaluating Arsenic Treatment Providers:  A Guide for Public Water Systems, which includes a checklist of questions that owners and operators of small utilities should ask treatment providers.

·         A CD-ROM disk, Interactive Workshop on Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water, features commentary from the nation's top experts.  The disk is a companion to 11 arsenic-training events EPA held across the country during 2005.

·         A DVD collection of videos, the Arsenic Treatment Technology Showcase, which highlights arsenic treatment technologies currently being pilot-tested through EPA's Arsenic Treatment Technology Demonstration Program.

 

EPA has also updated its web site to improve navigation and reflect the latest consumer and technical information.  Kits including all of the new arsenic tools will be delivered to EPA's state and technical assistance partners for distribution to public water systems affected by the arsenic regulation. 

 

In 2001, EPA revised the regulation for arsenic in drinking water to lower the maximum allowable level from 50 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion.  The new standard becomes effective on Jan. 23, 2006.  The Agency estimates that more than 90 percent of the systems affected by the revised rule are small, serving populations of 3,300 or fewer.

 

To launch the Arsenic Virtual Trade Show, go to:  http://www.arsenictradeshow.org

More information about arsenic and drinking water is at:  http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic

   

(2) After Extensive Analysis, EPA Removes Methyl Ethyl Ketone from List of Toxic Air Pollutants

 

Contact: John Millett, 202-564-4355 / [EMAIL PROTECTED]

 

After an extensive, multi-year scientific and technical review, EPA has removed methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) from the Clean Air Act list of toxic air pollutants.  Declassifying MEK will not compromise public health and may even pose a public health benefit as companies substitute MEK for more toxic or environmentally damaging chemicals.  Although removed from the list of toxic air pollutants, MEK remains regulated as a volatile organic compound.

 

Delisting a toxic air pollutant is a rigorous process that involves in-depth analyses and independent scientific peer review to demonstrate there are adequate data to determine that emissions may not reasonably be anticipated to cause adverse health effects.  Public comment is also an important component in the decision whether to delist a toxic air pollutant.  EPA has removed three other toxic air pollutants from the list:  ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (2004), long chain glycol ethers (2000), and caprolactam (1996).  EPA denied a petition to delist methanol in 2001.

 

MEK is used as a solvent in the surface coatings industry, specifically in manufacturing vinyl lacquers, some lacquers and acrylics. Industries also use MEK for producing adhesives, magnetic tapes, printing inks, degreasing and cleaning fluids, as a dewaxing agent for lubricating oils and as an intermediate in the production of antioxidants and perfumes.

 

For more information on this action, visit:  http://epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3/fact_sheets/mek_fs.html

 

(3) EPA Eases Permitting Requirements for Small Businesses

 

Contact:  John Millett, 202-564-4355 / [EMAIL PROTECTED]

 

To avoid unnecessary costs and burdens, EPA will no longer require five types of small businesses to obtain federal operating permits.  These businesses include:  neighborhood perchloroethylene dry cleaners; small ethylene oxide sterilizers that clean laboratory equipment and other items; chromium electroplaters that make items such as chrome parts for cars and plumbing fixtures; secondary aluminum production sources like car salvage yards; and halogenated solvent cleaners that clean metal parts, electronics and other objects.

 

The operating permit, called a Title V permit, requires a facility to make regular reports on how it is tracking and controlling emissions and to certify each year whether it has met its air pollution requirements.  The Clean Air Act states that a small business may be exempted from permits if it is "impracticable, infeasible, or unnecessarily burdensome" for the small facility to meet permit requirements.

 

This action does not change any requirements governing the control of emissions of toxic air pollutants that apply to these facilities -- they are still required to limit their emissions of air toxics.  In addition, the air toxics standards governing these businesses already require a detailed accounting of compliance. However, the additional requirements of a permit would be very costly for these small businesses and would not provide additional assurance of compliance. 

 

For more information on this action, visit:  http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t5/fact_sheets/asourceexempt.html

 

R279

 

 

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Sent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20460
202-564-4355

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